Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Price Target Raised to $260.00 at Morgan Stanley

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) had its target price lifted by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $250.00 to $260.00 in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the restaurant operator’s stock. Morgan Stanley’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 21.40% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on EAT. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $166.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Brinker International from $220.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Brinker International from $160.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price objective on Brinker International from $204.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Brinker International presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $244.30.

Brinker International Stock Performance

NYSE:EAT traded down $1.14 on Thursday, reaching $214.17. 603,792 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,137,300. The firm has a market cap of $8.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $213.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $169.96. Brinker International has a 52 week low of $100.30 and a 52 week high of $254.99.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.09 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 8.39% and a return on equity of 122.35%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.30 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Brinker International will post 13.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, Director Joseph DePinto sold 25,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.39, for a total transaction of $5,759,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 77,812 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,927,106.68. This trade represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Aaron M. White sold 16,220 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.22, for a total value of $3,831,488.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 42,756 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,099,822.32. The trade was a 27.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 173,044 shares of company stock worth $41,425,632. 1.43% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Brinker International

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EAT. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Brinker International by 570.4% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 181 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 58.5% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 225 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in Brinker International in the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in Brinker International by 1,233.3% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 360 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 333 shares during the last quarter.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc (NYSE: EAT) is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili’s® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano’s® Little Italy full‐service restaurants, offering a range of American‐style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family‐friendly dining experiences. Through dine‐in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili’s brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited‐time offerings and seasonal beverages.